MARGAO: An exciting tussle is in the offing as league leaders Dempo Sports Club take on Sporting Clube de Goa in what could be an exhilarating I-League match at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Wednesday at 4 pm.

Both the teams simply cannot afford to drop points with Sporting trying to move out of the relegation quagmire while Dempo are in hot pursuit of the title. Sporting battled for a victory over defending champions Churchill Bros and this might prove as an impetus for them on the morrow.
Coach Vishwas Gaonkar said: “We know it’s a big match against a tough and competent opponent. Dempo has everything that’s why they are the most feared outfit. For us this is an opportunity to prove that we are not just done yet. We have to dwell on the positives and we have done a very fine job so far and we are absolutely ready to give our best,” Vishwas answered when asked on his views on the crunch tie. Vishwas, despite the pressure has been jovial and the former Sesa Goa coach may laugh it off if someone pointed out being superstitious about his decision of picking out an unchanged team including the same reserves for the last three matches, but suspension to Samananda Singh means the former Santosh trophy defender has been forced to bring in Chandrashekar Chinta on the right side of the defence.
Nigerian striker Junior Obagmiro has been among the goals but Sporting fans will be hoping that Agnelo D’Sousa scores the goals. The speedy striker has  proved quite a handful with his pace so Dempo stoppers Creson Antao and John Dias have a job on hand but coach Armando Colaco who did not hide his displeasure over the defensive blunders in the past must be pleased after Dempo notched up a satisfying win over Chirag United in the last match.
International wing back Samir Naik is not available after picking up another yellow in the tie that Armando described as very vital in their chase for the top honours.
With everything to play for and the title in sight, Armando said: “Everyone knows  what exactly has to be done. We are at the top. It’s excellent and we’ve to maintain that position. Getting another win is very crucial, the boys are very eager and everyone is keen about the match and that’s why I feel about getting the points,” Armando expressed. Strike duo Ranty Martins as well as Joaquim Abranches were both on the score list but it’s Beto the Brazilian playmaker who had excelled and also ended his goal-scoring drought with a quality strike. The signs are enormously favourable for the league leaders and with an opportunity to tighten the grip on the title, Dempo appear to have the distinct edge on their
capital city rivals.